We Drink Craft Beers: An Adventure in Home Brewing

I guess we aren't technically "brewing" anything but it'll still be the first time we've brewed together since Women's Brew Day and we are very excited!

Ingredients:

1 oz Hallertau (60 min)

5 lb Weyermann Wheat

5 lb Weyermann Pilsner

0.5 lb Rice Hulls

Wyeast 3068

Size: 5 gal OG: ~1.050 FG: ~1.010 ABV: ~5%

Brewing Company:  Jolly Pumpkin Name: Maracaibo Especial Style: Special Brown Ale ABV: 7.5% Serving type: 22oz bomber Price: $10 with employee discount

Aroma: smells similar to a sour, but a little sweeter. some caramel notes, but barely there.

Appearance: light, caramel brown color. doesn't look "hazy" per se, but it's totally opaque. bits of dark sediment settled to the bottom. crazy foamy head three fingers tall settled into a nice layer of foam on top, but with little lacing.

Taste: this actually kinda tastes like a sour brown ale if that is even a thing. i get spices but i do not get cacao at all. i don't know how i feel about this. it isn't bad but it is not the taste i would expect from a brown.

medium body, medium carbonation. i definitely can't take a big swig of these - tiny sips for sure.

Finish: smooth finish that leaves a sour taste on the tongue.

Rating: i don't even know. what even is this. i wish i had someone to share this with bc it's a bit much for me.

Recommended with the warning that it tastes like a sour.

<3, c.

BEER REVIEW TIME!  Today we will be discussing Sweetwater Brewing Company's Festive Ale.  I wrote this review on 15 Dec 2012... apologies for the late posting. I picked up this sixer of beer the first day I got into town to visit my family for Christmas in Birmingham, AL this year. I'm always excited to get as much local or local-esque beer as I can wherever I travel, and particulary when I travel to Birmingham because... well, let's be honest. Alabama isn't exactly known for its progressive politics, and if I can't get my hands on good politics in this state, I'd like to at least get my hands on some good beer. The six pack tells me that the Festive Ale is brewed only one day a year, and that it combines a "touch of spice with a s#/@!load sleigh load of malts and hops" to keep you warm and toasted all night long.  SOLD!  Love ltd edition beer, love spices. Unfortunately, I was rather let down with all build up...

Appearance:  Nice, dark brown.  Glimmer of medium caramel in bottom of glass when held to the light. Small head dissipates quickly after pouring.  (*cough*) 4/5.

Smell:  Not gonna lie, this has a strange smell.  Heavy on the molasses, caramel, and malts.  There is something off about the smell and I can't figure out what it is. I don't pick up the scent of any spices, and the label doesn't list which spices were used in the brew to begin with so I don't actually know what I"m even searching for. 3/5.

Taste:Taste is off, too. Honestly, this tastes like a homebrew that got some unwanted wild yeast in it and then kind of soured. I don't taste any spice.  Picking up the heavy malts/molasses in the taste as I did in the smell. Lighter, less robuts taste than I might expect from a winter ale.  Oddly, hints of smokiness. 2/5

Mouthfeel:Eh.  Mouthfeel is weak. Needs more carbonation. 3/5

Drinkability:I'm finishing this pint of beer because I don't pour beer down the drain.  I wouldn't buy this again. 2/5

BEER REVIEW TIME!!  Today we will be discussing Straight to Ale's Monkeynaut IPA.  I reviewed this beer when I took a trip home to Birmingham, AL, for this most recent holiday season.  I wrote this review on 14 Dec 12. Beer Name:  Monkeynaut Style: IPA Brewery: Straight to Ale Brewing, Huntsville, AL ABV: 7.5% A little background.  Straight to Ale was established in 2009.  They regularly brew and serve Monkeynaut IPA, Brother Joseph Dubbel, and Lily Flagg Milk Stout.  I have been foloowing Straight to Ale brewing for over a year now on facebook, biding my time and waiting patiently for an opportunity to visit their brewpub in Huntsville, AL, since their website states that they are a draft-only brewery, available at local bars and restaurants."  Imagine my surprise tonight at Publix when I found this lovely six pack of Monkeynaut IPA... in cans, no less!  I picked up the pack from the refrigerated section ASAP and barely even batted an eye at the fact that it was one of my least favorite styles (I would have much preferred it to be full of Lilly Flagg Milk Stout, but beggars can't be choosers and after having this beer, I'd choose it any day anyway!).

Appearance:  Beautiful, medium caramel color.  Crisp and clear.  Darker than a "typical" IPA.  Head retention impressive. Lacing impressive!  Thick suds stick to sides of pint glass. 4/5

Smell:Definitely get that bitter hops smell, but it is very nicely balanced with a welcome sweetness.  Fruity sweetness, in fact. Nice and citrusy smelling. 4/5

Taste:That's a damn good IPA. Nicely balanced. Grapefruit and citrus tones coming through and something else even a little sweeter... can't put my finger on what. But the balance between the citrusy hops and malty sweetness is welcome.  I typically shy away from IPAs because the balance is so off.  The beer has a strange aftertaste.. like, almost chalky.  Kind of strange but not something I'm overly concerned about, especially considering that I am (what!) legitimately enjoying this IPA. 5/5

Mouthfeel:Full bodied and easy on the tongue.  Great carbonation. 5/5

Drinkability:I am halfway through this beer and have a nice buzz.  It is a 7.5% for Chrissake! This is possibly the only IPA I've ever had that I a). not only want to finish entirely, but b). also would like to drink another one. Despite being a 7.5%, this alcohol is not featured prominently and you think you're drinking a "light" beer when in fact you are just getting drunk.  Is that a good or a bad thing?  YOU DECIDE.  I give it a 5/5 in terms of drinkability. 5/5

I sipped this beer in my parent's kitchen. Dad drank one with me and mom had a sip of ours.  Their contributions follow: